Ignorance

I watched Ex Machina and it was boring. I mean, it was clear from the beginning the whole movie is just an “AI Box Experiment” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AI_box) that it would end badly (for humans), just to show how dangerous artificial intelligences can be for us.

I don’t want to brag about this, just to point out that if you have minimal knowledge on a subject, everything looks clear, simple and predictable. If you’re in dark and just facing that matter for the first time, things looks spectacular and almost mystical.

This is the difference between ignorance and knowledge in any field and that’s why you need to have a deep understanding of everything you’re doing. If you don’t understand something you tend to reject it and form a justifiable opinion that probably that thing is bad for you. If you’re in the dark, anybody that produces a lighter in front of you is more credible than somebody that tries to explain you can find a light-switch only if you go some steps away through the dark.

So better than blaming people form making bad decisions, you can try to enlighten them. Teach them what they need to know and they’ll be able to make better judgments. And actually teach not proselytize!